If you hold a long-term visa in Korea and plan to travel abroad, you need to know about re-entry permits. Without a valid re-entry permit (재입국허가), your Korean visa status may be cancelled the moment you leave the country — forcing you to reapply from scratch at a Korean consulate. This guide explains who needs one, the costs, the auto-exemption rule, and how to apply.
검토 기준
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
최종 검토일
2026년 4월 22일
출처 기준
신청 전 주의사항
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
A re-entry permit is an official authorization that allows a long-term foreign resident to exit Korea temporarily and return without losing their visa status. Without one, exiting Korea is treated as a voluntary departure from your visa status — your ARC becomes invalid and you cannot re-enter on your existing status.
Note: This is different from your visa stamp in your passport. The visa stamp may still appear valid, but the underlying status (체류자격) in the immigration system can be cancelled upon departure if no re-entry permit is on record.
Under current rules, most long-term visa holders are automatically exempt from needing a re-entry permit if their planned absence from Korea is less than 1 year. This automatic exemption applies to most D, E, and F-series visa holders.
However, if you plan to be outside Korea for more than 1 year, you MUST obtain a re-entry permit before leaving — regardless of how long your visa has remaining validity. Returning after 1+ year without a permit means your status is considered abandoned.
Important exceptions — the automatic exemption does NOT apply to:
• G-1 (Humanitarian) visa holders — must always obtain a re-entry permit before travel
• Persons under certain immigration restrictions or pending cases
• Nationals of certain restricted countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Libya may face additional requirements — verify with your local immigration office)
Single re-entry permit (단수 재입국허가)
• Cost: ₩30,000
• Valid for: one exit and one return to Korea within the permit validity period
• Best for: one-off trips abroad
Multiple re-entry permit (복수 재입국허가)
• Cost: ₩50,000 (valid up to 1 year) / ₩80,000 (valid 1–2 years)
• Valid for: unlimited exits and entries within the permit period
• Best for: frequent travelers, those with family abroad, business trips
Both permits are only valid within your underlying visa's remaining stay period — if your visa expires during the permit period, you cannot re-enter without renewing your visa first.
You must apply BEFORE leaving Korea. Applications cannot be made from abroad.
Alternatively, at Incheon International Airport and some other ports of departure, you can apply at the immigration office counter on the day of your departure — but this is risky if queues are long. Apply in advance.
If you leave Korea without a re-entry permit (and your absence exceeds the 1-year auto-exemption threshold), your long-term visa status is cancelled upon departure. You will:
For and workers: even short absences can affect your employer binding — consult your employer before traveling.
For permanent residents: F-5 holders can be abroad for up to 2 consecutive years without losing status, but must notify immigration if staying abroad longer than 1 year.
Apply for a multiple re-entry permit at each visa extension if you travel frequently — it is much cheaper than applying per trip.
Incheon Airport immigration has a re-entry permit counter, but never rely on it — apply at your local office in advance.
G-1 holders must ALWAYS get a re-entry permit before leaving, even for short trips — the 1-year auto-exemption does not apply.
If you are between jobs (on D-10) and plan to travel home, make sure your D-10 is still valid and get a re-entry permit before leaving.
F-5 (permanent resident) holders technically do not need a re-entry permit for trips under 2 years, but must notify immigration of long absences.
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비자 절차
외국인등록증 (ARC)
외국인등록증(ARC)은 90일 이상 한국에 체류하는 외국인에게 발급되는 공식 신분증입니다. 은행 계좌 개설, 휴대폰 계약, 대부분의 공공 서비스 이용에 필수입니다.
비자 절차
하이코리아 (HiKorea)
하이코리아 사용법 (www.hikorea.go.kr) — 체류기간 연장, 체류자격 변경, 외국인등록증 갱신을 온라인으로 신청하는 방법. 처리 기간: 영업일 기준 3-10일.
비자 절차
체류기간 연장
체류기간 연장이란 현재 비자 또는 외국인등록증의 만료일 이후에도 한국을 출국하지 않고 합법적으로 체류를 이어갈 수 있도록 허가를 받는 절차입니다.
비자 절차
체류자격 변경
체류자격 변경이란 이미 한국에 체류 중인 외국인이 출국하지 않고 현재 비자 종류에서 다른 비자 종류로 전환하는 절차입니다. 예를 들어, 졸업 후 취업한 경우 D-2 유학 비자에서 E-7 특정활동 비자로 변경할 수 있습니다.
I have a valid Korean visa but I forgot to get a re-entry permit. Can I still leave?
If your planned absence is less than 1 year, you are likely covered by the automatic exemption — no permit required. If you plan to be outside Korea for more than 1 year, you need a permit and should apply before leaving. If you are already at the airport, there is an immigration counter at Incheon where you can apply on the day — but arrive early.
My ARC expires while I'm abroad — what happens?
Your ARC expiry (체류기간) is the date by which you must either renew your visa or depart. If your ARC expires while you are abroad, your status may be considered expired and you will need to re-apply for a visa at a Korean consulate. A re-entry permit alone does not extend your stay period.
Can I get a re-entry permit at a Korean embassy abroad?
No. Re-entry permits must be obtained from within Korea before your departure. They cannot be issued from overseas. If you left Korea without one and your status was cancelled, you need to apply for a new visa at a Korean consulate.
How much does a multiple re-entry permit cost?
A multiple re-entry permit valid for up to 1 year costs ₩50,000. One valid for 1–2 years costs ₩80,000. A single-use re-entry permit costs ₩30,000.
Does a re-entry permit extend my visa?
No. A re-entry permit does not extend your visa's stay period. It only allows you to return to Korea on your existing status after a temporary absence. Your ARC expiry date remains unchanged.
작성자 James Chae — 엑스퍼트 사피엔스 공동창업자
플랫폼 전문 분야: 출입국 컨설팅 및 비자 서비스 · 검토됨 4월 2026